Kerry Score First League Points Of The Year

National Football League, Division 1
Kerry 0-12 Tyrone 0-9

Both teams will have left Tralee on Saturday evening relatively satisified with their nights work. Kerry, despite failing to score a goal will nonetheless be pleased to have got their first league points. Tyrone, on their strength and under severe pressure throughout the final minutes of the second half will be satisfied to have pushed Kerry hard and, due to some brilliant intensive surprised Kerry and particularly Kieran Donaghy of any goal scoring opportunities.

The opening quarter was evenly balanced but Kerry then appeared to have taken a firm grip on the game as they scored four unanswered points. Just when it seemed that Tyrone would be over-run they rallied and scored three good points without reply. Kerry then regained the momentum and added two pointed frees to go in at half time, leading by 0-8 to 0-5. The opening half contained some excellent passages of play, passages that would do justice to championship football. There was no let up in the quality of the game throughout the second half. Though under pressure for large periods Tyrone managed to drive forward menacingly on a few occasions and were rewarded with some excellent points.

With about ten minutes remaining Kerry enjoyed a two point lead. Despite enjoying mid-field superiority the forwards were unable to break down the solid Tyrone defence. It took a Denis O'Sullivan point close to the finish to put the issue beyond doubt. Overall a very entertaining nights football between two sides, who, one suspects will be playing champion football late into the summer.

Donegal 2-11 Mayo 0-16

Mayo will wonder how they contrived to loose this match against last years league champions at Castlebar. The home side made all the early running and after fifteen minutes led by 0-8 to 0-3. There was no let up in Mayo's dominance towards half time at which point they still enjoyed a five point lead (0-11 to 0-6).

While Donegal improved somewhat in the early stages of the second half it still looked as if Mayo would secure the win. Mayo were still two points in front as the clock towards the seventy third minute. Mayo then made the faithful mistake of retrieving into a defensive mood thereby allowing Donegal to travel the length of the field in mounting a final challenge to save the game.

Thus when Donegal centre back Eamon McGee received a pass from twenty metres from goal Mayo's folly was sealed as McGee blasted the ball past Mayo keeper, Shane Mallon for the decisive score. The final whistle followed the kick out. Thus as in their opening game against Kerry, Donegal secured the points courtesy of a late late goal. Mayo's display was of the mixed bag variety. Some of their forward movements were breath taking many of which resulted in brilliant points from Mortimer, Gill and Dillon. However some slack and naïve defending ensured that Donegal always had a chance of snatching victory.

Mayo should have learned a lesson from Donegal's first goal as it to arose following a movement that began in the full back line and went unchallenged until Bradley fisted the ball to the net at close range. This score, in the fifty seventh minute brought Donegal back into the game and gave them the confidence to believe that despite always being in arrears that they could finally break down Mayo. McGee's late goal was the justification of that belief.

Donegal now share top spot with Galway and Derry. Mayo are pointless but have only themselves to blame for allowing Sunday's points to slip away.

Galway 1-12 Kildare 2-8

As the teams retreated to the dressing room at half time this very mediocre game at Newbridge looked done and dusted in Galway's favour. Liam Sammons men looked far sharper, in skill, strength and fitness with a half time lead of 1-7 to 0-3 just about reflecting their superiority. Kildare simply looked out of their class.

However within five minutes of the re-start the rejuvenated Kildare had added one goal and two points to dramatically change the course of the game, both on the field and on the score board. Both teams then produced near championship style football as the league points were eagerly sought. With only ten minutes remaining Kildare then repeated their first half slumber and allowed Galway to score four unanswered points to secure victory. Kildare's last minute goal was of academic style only.

Overall Galway just about deserved to win and for their second half efforts Kildare almost deserved a draw. A major contributory factory to Galway's win was the performance of Michael Meehan who accounted for 1-5 of his sides total. Kildare simply had no player of means, class.

Derry 2-12 Laois 1-9

Derry's six point winning margin might suggest that they enjoyed a relatively comfortable win over Laois at Portlaoise. However Laois were in contention for over three quarters of the game, to fade out in the closing stages undermining their earlier good efforts.

The half time score of 1-6 each accurately reflected in the trend of play in that opening half. Bradley for Derry and Sheehan for Laois swapped excellent goals.

By the fiftieth minute the sides were still level at 1-8 each and as the teams looked evenly balanced a draw could not be ruled out. However, a physically weaker Laois began to tire and Bradley and Muldoon scored excellent points to put Derry ahead. In the sixty seventh Lynch blasted home Derry's second goal to guarantee the points at joint top of the table position for his side.